Charlie Hunter brings 'Duo,' jazz to Bird

Charlie Hunter's guitar can shift from a Wes Montgomery smoothness to a distortion stimulated organ-like tone. Yet the jazz musician's most distinctive attribute is realized when one notes that he plays his eight-string guitar with finger gymnastics that allow him to contribute lead phrases and bass lines simultaneously.

On his latest cleverly titled album "Duo," Hunter teamed up with percussionist Leon Parker for ... a duo. The concept of the recording apparently was to assemble a well-rounded collection of tightly focused compositions that keep improvisation to a concentrated minimum.

Courtesy of Blue Note Charlie Hunter will perform at the Bird of Paradise on May 5 and 6.

Although Hunter's ability to play solos and harmonic accompaniments at the same time is impressive, it occasionally tends to over simplify the bass lines and prevent his solos from becoming more technical.

Of course, since this recording was designed to emphasize the ability of Hunter and Parker to efficiently navigate through their own compositions (mostly Hunter's), the solos needed to be appropriate, not breathtaking.

Unfortunately, the compositional material on which the duo was to fall back is not, for the most part, stellar.

This is not to say that the recording does not have bright spots. The album ranges authentically from blues phrases to funk, and a clever Gershwin lick always betrays discretion. The song "Recess" is a standard AABA arrangement that swings through its groovy 6/8 melody convincingly. An ingenious gospel cadence flares from Hunter's organ-tuned guitar, announcing the solo section, and Parker's drums join in with a celebratory clap. The piece picks up tempo, conforms to common time signature and Hunter rocks it along with tasteful interjections. The song soon closes with the melody, an ideal example of the album's intended concise organization.

Hunter's double duty role may have pitfalls, but will certainly be exciting to watch unfold onstage. Most likely in concert, with more time and limited song material with which to work, Hunter, with his drummer Adam Cruz filling Parker's role, will focus more on virtuosity. Perhaps it will be even better suited to him.

04-20-99